Liverpool U17s 2 Newcastle U17s 0

Newcastle lost out to Liverpool in the Milk Cup Globe final in Coleraine on Friday, but were unlucky not to force a penalty shoot-out.

Trailing to Ryan Kent's first-half goal, the Magpies had a golden opportunity to equalise towards the end only for Daniel Barlaser to fire over and the Reds went on to score a second through Kent in the dying seconds.

On Wednesday, the Merseysiders had beaten the Magpies 4-2 in the group stages but this match was a much more even affair.

Coach Dave Watson told nufc.co.uk: "It was very close. After they went 1-0 up, it was toe-to-toe all the way.

"For long periods of the game we were well in it. We defended great, we kept a good team shape and good discipline and we did create chances to score goals, but it wasn't to be.

"Liverpool are strong - they have lots of good quality kids - but we certainly gave a good account of ourselves. We came to the tournament and won three games out of five, and only lost the two to Liverpool who are a very, very strong outfit."

Newcastle were beaten 3-0 to Desportivo Brazil in last season's main Milk Cup final and Watson admitted: "It's obviously disappointing when you lose a final but the youngsters have got to experience these things.

"And then when you win, it feels so much better. By losing and finding out what that feels like, it's all a part of gaining experience. They won't think so right now but in the long term it'll do them good and they'll learn a lot from it."